This was a story of healing between a desperate Marquess and a hardened widow. What first started as a game in seduction quickly transformed into two souls building a lasting connection.

I am always intrigued to read any story with a character with a disability - in this case, our hero Stephen, has a degenerative eye condition and is going blind. It was a beautiful story with two flawed characters coming together.

I love flawed characters. For me, their flaws make them more relatable. And definitely more deserving of their happily ever after. In Drawn to the Marquess, Bronwen Evans latest addition to her Imperfect Lords series, Stephen and Penelope each have their flaws. And those imperfections make them absolutely perfect for one another.

To the world Stephen Hornsby, Marquess of Clevedon, looked “as if God had bestowed perfection upon him, but his outer shell hid his faults”. The fact that he was going blind, like his father before him, was his own private hell. To live in a dark world devoid of beauty was a punishment worse than death. So he made it his goal to see every exquisite thing before he lost his sight. And he was determined to see Lady Penelope Fisherton shuddering in the throes of passion before his world went dark.
Penelope’s husband, Carmichael, had died under suspicious circumstances. Though her late husband was vile and cruel, at least he left everything to her in his will. But Penelope’s brother in law was trying to implicate her in Carmichael’s death so he could inherit it all. Lord Clevedon had the skills and affront to help her. He’d been a spy for the crown and had quite the reputation for uncovering secrets. He was just who she needed to cast doubt on her brother in law’s claims. But rake that he was, Stephen had a proposition. He’d aid her in clearing her name if she let him attempt to seduce her. Penelope had lost everything because she’d let a cad seduce her. She’d learned her lesson well. Never again would a man have power over her. Rich, powerful, and handsome, Lord Clevedon may be a sin to be indulged but he was definitely a man never to bestow her heart upon.
Penelope thought she’d be immune to Stephen’s attempts but her body was urging her to acknowledge feelings she knew would only lead to trouble. Feelings she’d thought long killed beneath her self- disgust. Though she longed to have a family, after Carmichael she vowed never to marry again. But one kiss from Stephen made her doubt the plan she’d mapped out for her life.
Stephen liked Penelope. He desired her. He wanted to help her. But he couldn’t let himself feel anything for her other than desire. He’d only wanted pleasure but was quickly feeling much more. He refused to be a burden to anyone and he certainly didn’t want to pass his fate on to children. No wife. No family. Once he proved Penelope innocent, he’d walk away.
Stephen and Penelope came together with entirely different purposes at first. For Penelope, he was a means to an end. The help she needed in keeping what was rightfully hers. For Stephen, she was something to add to his collection of beautiful things. A precious memory to look back on when darkness overtook him. It didn’t take long before their hearts were involved though. Stephen was pretty irresistible. I loved how frank he was about his sexual appetites. He was a wicked flirt and his subtle innuendo was delicious. He lived for pleasure, which Penelope had never experienced. Soon his goal was no longer about adding to his memories, but about showing her how wonderful passion could be. Penelope, though she seemed bitter at first, was really a loving person. She did so much to help the people of her town. She cared about them and they cared for her as well. I loved that she didn’t pity Stephen for the fate that awaited him. She treated him as a man and tried to show him that not only could he survive as a blind man, he could thrive. The only obstacle in their way was the fact that she wanted children and he refused to possibly pass his condition on. It is said there’s none so blind as those who will not see. But once they let their hearts rule instead of their fears, they saw what was plain to me from the beginning. They were perfect for each other.
Bronwen Evans does an excellent job of blending emotional characters with passionate sensuality in this story. This book is a charming blend of romance and mystery. The entire quest to determine what really happened to Carmichael was intriguing and was instrumental in bringing Stephen and Penelope together. I loved that Alex and Hestia, characters from the first book in this series, had a hand in figuring it all out. If you like a little intrigue, a few secrets, and lots of passion, you’ll love Drawn to the Marquess.

I always enjoy a story of someone dealing with difficulty as in this case where the marquees is losing his sight. He is worried that by having children he will pass the condition on. However Pen has her own secrets and issues where her brother in law will falsely accuse her of murder. H and h both need help in different says and spend a bit of time lamenting how they should not be together. However, they work out their problems and fortunately get support around them. Enjoyable!

Bronwen Evans has done it again in Drawn to the Marquess with Stephen and Penelope's story! Such an amazingly passionate story that will ensure the reader will continue to turn the page in quest for the rest of the story! It ended perfectly and all too soon, but I am sure Evans will have another hit coming out soon. I highly recommend this book!

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I really wanted to like this book but it was a little to drawn out for me. I just wasn't over the moon about it. Stephen was just not very trusting. Penelope was annoying at times. It was just okay read.

I enjoyed this book so much. I cant wait to read the next book . Thanks to Netgalley for this free copy.

Lord Clevedon is sought out to save Penelope from a very unfortunate situation. Stephen does not have a problem helping her out since he is utterly captivated by her she has a condition of his own. Overcoming a scandal is the least of Penelope’s worries but remaining safe from the impending danger that lurks that threatens her harm.

I thought it was really interesting that the main character had the potential to go blind, and it added a new layer to this romance. I thought the way the two characters were introduced to each other was different, and made it more interesting especially since they have to solve a mystery together. I do think though that the author, while great at bringing up unique situations like a main character being blind, had the main male character really brooding on his situation. He spent a lot of time saying over and over that his blindness would be a burden and how he couldn’t produce an heir because of his blindness. I just felt like all that brooding really didn’t add to the story, and it was really annoying and frustrating. I think also I was a bit confused because Penelope, the main love interest, sought Steven, the main character, out for his help in solving a crime. But if he discovered the truth about the crime, he would hate her. Then why seek him out in the first place?? Anyways, this wasn’t amazing, and the only thing I really enjoyed about it was the love scenes since those were cute and such. But I did appreciate how the author handled the disability, and Stephans fears concerning his situation.

I actually enjoyed the first 50% of this book, but after that, it fell completely downhill for me. I truly ended up skimming the end because I couldn't stand it. Both the characters are hiding "secrets" and I wish there would've been more detail for what was happening to Stephen's eyes, rather than just.... a degenerative eye disease. Cool. There are a lot of those. Really narrowed it down there. As far as Penelope's secret? Bland. Boring. I was hoping for something more exciting, but once I figured out what was happening I just spent the rest of the time rolling my eyes.
Additionally, if you want to read (a weird amount) of sermonizing in a romance novel, this is the one for you. Suicide is wrong, because God says so! You won't have children with the wrong men because God says so!
Bye, no thanks.

The widow besieged!

A lovely widow and a lustful Marquess. Stephen Hornsby, the Marquess of Clevedon, is going blind. His answer? To seek extraordinary interludes with beautiful women, searing them into his memory.
Lady Penelope Fisherton is the pinnacle he desires to conquer.
Penelope has had enough of scoundrels and wants to enjoy her freedom without complications. But there's an overriding dilemma. Penelope has a brother-in-law who wants her fortune and is none to particular how he comes by it. The situation is ripe for some interesting, nay even steamy happenstances, along with some downright threatening instances.
An enjoyable read.

A NetGalley ARC

This book was a bit slow for me which is rare with Bronwen's books. I just could not seem to focus on reading it so it took longer than normal. I thought Pen gave in to desires too fast with Stephen. But overall I enjoyed the story.

Very nice story. I liked the storyline and the characters were well thought out. I really enjoyed reading it.

Stephen Hornsby, the Marquess of Clevedon, who is trying to complete all his tasks while still having his sight, sets his sites on Lady Penelope Fisherton. These two must find a way to heal to find their future. This author pens Regency world that allows the reader to feel for the characters throughout their journey. Second book in the Imperfect Lords book.

Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.

I was given a e-arc of this book through netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review, all views and opinions are my own.
Overall I will say I enjoyed this book more than I originally thought I would. The book has hints of voyeurism that turned me off on the characters a little, but if it's your thing then you may just like that. Thankfully there was enough of an interesting storyline to keep me pushing through, even though between his health issues and her personal drama it felt like a little too much going on with them.
I will say that it's going to definitely stay in my library to be reread at some point, so it is a recommended book to read on a nice cozy weekend.

This was such a sweet romance about overcoming obstacles thrown at us. I loved how Pen was able to overcome her issues with trust and fall in love with a rake like Stephen. They were so perfect for eachother in every way. Stephen was a quintessential rake and written to perfection. I xant wait to read another fun romance by this talented author.

A definite buy buy buy buy buy book.
I am totally immersed in this story. This writer just keeps getting better and better and better. Every page was an absolute delight. A steamy passionate journey. One with life happenings to make it more real but also characters that keep you totally engaged. Twists and turns with passion and love. Two people that have had a hard time in life but managed to emerge victorious. This book was a definite unexpected for me. From page one to the very end, I did not want to lay it down. Its not that it was the best ever written, it is the fact the book was written with heart and soul and it shows in every word. It grasps, holds and leads the reader on a great journey of the heart. I was given this book via NetGalley. All opinions expressed here are my own. Regards, Anna

This book has caught my attention since its blurb. I found it interesting that the main character, Stephen Hornsby, Marquess of Clevedon, had some kind of degenerative disease in his eyes. Something hard and difficult for the time, especially for him who had worked as a spy.

On the other hand, we have Lady Penelope. A very wealthy widow, whose brother-in-law not only wants to lay hands on her fortune, but is doing all he can to make everyone think she was the one who killed her husband.

To clarify this situation, Penelope asks Stephen for help, and within that equation, he decides that in addition to helping her, he will seduce her.

The couple goes through highs and lows until they finally surrender to passion, and with that, they begin to make plans for the future, and that's when one becomes aware of the other's secret (yes, Penelope also keeps a great secret).

I confess I felt more connected to Stephen than to Penelope, but the plot is too interesting.
I did not read the previous book in the series. This one can be read as stand alone.
4 stars

Bronwen Evans’ latest “Imperfect Lords” is a very readable romance with a HEA that is tinged with some doubt. Stephen and Pen are a well matched, sexual flame-igniting, romance lovers perfect duo.

Pen’s husband is dead. What is clear is that he somersaulted over a cliff near their home. Did he fall or was he pushed? Pen needs to clear her name, and enlist Stephen to help. Stephen has equally immense problems of his own. Although he hasn’t told anyone, he is going blind, like his father before him. His father dealt with blindness by killing himself. Will Stephen do the same.

The novel moves along at a nice pace, and the characters are likeable. A solid 3.5+!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The first thing I need to do is thank NetGalley and Random House Loveswept for providing us with a copy of this book so that we could bring you this review.

I can't say that Bronwen Evans hasn't done it again because she totally has. Though things are looking rough and bleak for Steven with how he thinks he is losing his sight, but all that changes the second he meets Penelope. Penelope is having a hard time trying to figure out how she is going to clear her name from getting accused by her brother in law of doing some not so nice things. She makes plans to try and get Steven to help her, but what she doesn't know is that she is going to end up falling for her savior. I love how these two help each other see how different the world can be. 

I give this book 5 kisses...

Happy Reading... Adri